Drought Support Sessions in Inglewood and Goondiwindi
« Back1 May 2019
MAYOR ASKS FARMERS TO SPEND FUNDING LOCALLY
Primary producers in the Goondiwindi region will have the chance to partner up with some of the best brains in the business in a free 1-on-1 drought support session.
Goondiwindi Regional Council Mayor Graeme Scheu said today that available drought support funding could help the whole region thrive if farmers spent the money locally.
“I think a lot of producers in our region may be entitled to more support than they realise,” said Cr Scheu.
“We’re talking a one-page form to fill out to access cash funding in some cases.”
Cr Scheu said that although there is plenty of drought support available across government and community levels, it seems that many eligible farmers are not accessing their share of the funding and resources.
That funding could be shared across the community if producers cashed in their entitlements to support other local businesses, the Mayor said.
Accessing that support will be the goal of two ‘Meet the Experts: 1-on-1 Drought Support’ events to be held in Goondiwindi and Inglewood this month. Open to all primary producers in the region, the sessions will give producers an invaluable opportunity to receive tailored advice based on their personal circumstances from representatives from agencies and service providers.
Producers will have a confidential individual 10-minute session with each expert on the day, with topics to cover everything from rural financial management to mental health and on-farm infrastructure.
“The aim is that after each 10-minute session, you’ve had the chance to pick that expert’s brain about their subject and you can walk away with a clear pathway to follow or a direct phone number to call,” Cr Scheu said.
The Meet the Experts: 1-on-1 Drought Support event will work to clarify what support services and funding each individual attendee is entitled to. The sessions in Goondiwindi and Inglewood follow a trial event in Texas, which proved to be very successful.
“Our farmers are the backbone of the Goondiwindi region and so drought affects the whole community,” Cr Scheu said.
“Supporting our farmers helps them to support the communities they live and work in. Events like this are a great way to re-invest available funding back into the community and other businesses in the Goondiwindi region.
“Everyone’s situation is different and so the key message is not to self-assess. It’s so important to have an expert on your side to cut through all the jargon and work out what you’re entitled to.”
The sessions will be co-hosted by Goondiwindi Regional Council and Care Goondiwindi on the following dates:
- Tuesday 14 May
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lagoon St, Goondiwindi - Tuesday 28 May
Council Chambers, Inglewood
Bookings are essential, as spaces are limited. The sessions will be confidential 10-minute slots with each expert – please allow 1.5 hours to meet with all representatives on the day.
To register for this the event, please contact Goondiwindi Regional Council via phone or drop in to your local Council Customer Service Centre.
For more information, please contact:
Councillor Graeme Scheu
Mayor
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Mobile: 0427 718 877
Email: mayor@grc.qld.gov.au